Exercising stand

ABSTRACT

An exercising stand is disclosed herein having a pair of tubular side members pivotally joined together at one end so as to be pivoted between a first position for storage purposes and a second position for exercising purposes. Retainers are carried on the side members for slidably receiving an inverted U-shaped member constituting a back support extending between the side members when in their second position. Hand grips are carried on each of the side members adjacent the end opposite to the pivotally connected ends. A shoulder cushion is carried on each of the side members disposed between the back support and the hand grip.

United States Patent Grana [4 1 July 25, 1972 s41 EXERCISING STAND3,287,016 11/1966 Mayer ..272/57 R x [72] Inventor: Vito Grana, 15224 LaMaida St., Sherman Oaks Cahf' 91403 3,591,173 7/1971 Gossman ..272/60[22] Filed: Dec. 28, 1970 Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham [21] Appl'lm496 Assistant Examiner-Richard J. Apley Attorney-Roger A. Marrs [52]U.S. Cl ..272/60 [51] Int. Cl. ..A63b 23/02 ABSTRACT [58] Field ofSearch "272/57 62; 9 An exercising stand is disclosed herein having apair of tubular side members pivotally joined together at one end so asto be pivoted between a first position for storage purposes and a [56]Re'mnm Cited second position for exercising purposes. Retainers arecarried UNITED STATES PATENTS on the side members for slidably receivingan inverted U- shaped member constituting a back support extending1,705,745 3/ 1929 Anderson ..272/57 R between the side members when intheir second position 2,759,730 8/1956 "272/58 Hand grips are carried oneach of the side members adjacent 2,919,913 Horn-m the end opposite tothe pivotally connected ends. A shoulder 3,077,347 2/ 1963 Nova 272/60cushion is carried on each of the side members disposed 3,1 14,54512/1963 HOl'n.... .....272/60 between the k Support d the hand grill3,l73,415 3/1965 Rubin ..272/60 X 3,178,180 4/1965 Morgan ..272/57 R 11Claim, 5 Drawing Figures EXERCISING STAND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1.Field of the Invention This invention relates to physical exercisingdevices and, more particularly, to a novel device adapted to not onlyexercise the muscles of the hips and body trunk but one which iseffective to exercise and strengthen, without great muscular effort, themuscles of the thighs, back and legs.

2. Description of the Prior Art In general, the concept of exercise,whether for developing the physique or for the purpose of weightreduction, involves expending a substantial amount of time and physicaleffort to obtain observable results. Furthermore, such exercise orweight reduction frequently requires equipment that is rather expensiveand beyond the means of many who desire to exercise or reduce. Manyportable exercisers have been employed in the past, but these haveusually required the use of weights or resilient members, such assprings or elastic cords, and in addition, have usually been directed todeveloping the arms and chest of the user without regard for the rest ofthe torso and legs. Many of these have required direct mounting on awall or the use of a wall for body support, while nearly all of themhave required a considerable space in which to use them properly.Examples are disclosed in U. S. Pat. Nos. 3,l 14,545; 3,077,347; and2,919,9l8.

Other attempts have been directed towards providing an exercising devicewhich is capable of exercising the hips, thighs, legs and abdomen of theuser by providing a platform freely swiveled on a base supported on thefloor. A person, in using this device, freely swivels the hips and legswithout having to act against the restraining force of springs or otherrestraining means whereby effective exercise may be obtained with aminimum of physical exertion and requiring but relatively short periodsof time to obtain beneficial results. Several such swiveled or rotatableplatforms are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,063,714; 3,100,639; and2,351,293. All of these devices are dynamic since they move during usageand therefore require a good sense of balance; otherwise, the devicesare dangerous to use.

However, problems and difficulties have been encountered with suchconventional exercising apparatus which are distinguished from eachother in that a greater effort must be expended by the person using thedevice in order to balance on a rotating platform or against a wall.This factor increases the rigor and skill required to perform theexercise and delays development of the muscles used in these exercises.Consequently, this rotary action and/or dependency on fixed wall supporthas the tendency of tightening the muscles at the point of maximumcontraction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the difficulties and problemsencountered with conventional balance exercisiong devices are obviatedby the present invention which provides a novel portable exerciser thatprovides stationary platform means on which the user may selectivelystand on his shoulders in an inverted position so as to primarilyexercise the hip, back, arm and thigh muscles as well as the leg andankel muscles.

In one embodiment of the invention, the novel portable ex erciserprovides a platform means comprising a pair of identical side membershaving a pivotal connection at a selected one of its ends so that theside members may assume a first position side-by-side for storagepurposes and a second position spread apart for exercising purposes.Means are detachably mounted between the side members for supporting theback of the user when in his inverted exercising position. Hand gripsare carried on each of the side members disposed between the hand dripand the back support. Means are provided for releasably securing theexerciser in its second position.

By employing only the exerciser of the present invention, the user mayreadily exercise hip, back and thigh muscles, as well as the leg andankle muscles. Consequently, a greater variety of muscular activity canbe experienced by the user than can be otherwise achieved when employingconventional devices.

Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide anovel exercising device which permits the user to exercise musclesassociated with major portions of his body by selectively choosing tostand on a primary platform.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel portableexerciser of a shoulder stand type wherein the user may readily stand onhis shoulders and support his back without the use of a stationary orfixed wall so that a variety of body muscles can be simultaneouslyexercised.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novelshoulder stand exerciser which may be readily adjusted to accommodate adesired degree of strain to be encountered by the person using thedevice.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novelexercising and/or reducing device incorporating a stationary platformwhich requires but little effort every day for a person to obtainnoticeable beneficial results both in strengthening the muscles of thebody and in reducing the waistline.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a novelexerciser incorporating a pair of identical side members forming astationary platform wherein a back support and lateral shoulder restsare provided with cushion material sufficient to comfortably support theweight of a user.

Still another object of the invention resides in the provision of anovel portable exercising apparatus which is readily adapted for foldingbetween a storage position and an exercising position and which includesdetachable fasteners and a slidable member in its foldable construction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The features of the present inventionwhich are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in theappended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization andmanner of operation, together with further objects and advantagesthereof, may best be understood by reference to the followingdescription, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the novel exerciser of the presentinvention illustrated in actual usage by a person shown in an invertedposition;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the exerciser illustrated inits exercise position ready for use;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view, partly broken away and insection, of a releasable fastener employed in the exerciser shown inFIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the exerciser illustrated in its foldedposition for storage purposes; and

FIG. 5 is a reduced fragmentary view of another embodiment of thepresent invention modified to include earth supports for the stationaryplatform.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. I, the novelshoulder type exerciser of the present invention is indicated in thegeneral direction of arrow 10 which includes a stationary platformcollectively identified by numeral 11 which supports the body of aperson 12. When in use, it can be seen that the person 12 is inverted sothat his head is adjacent the supporting floor or ground 13 while hisfeet extend upwardly in a substantially vertical plane. A feature of thepresent invention resides in the fact that a back support 14 is providedwith a cushion 15 positioned against the upper back or shoulders of theuser. The 'users shoulders are resting on shoulder cushions 16 while theuser's hands grasp hand grips 17 carried on the top of the stationaryplatform 11. The shoulder cushions 16 are disposed between the backsupport 15 and the hand grip 17. To gain the inverted position shown inFIG. 1, it is required that the user place his head in a positionsubstantially as shown and with his shoulunnu ders on the cushions 16.With a short upward kick. the torso of the person will pivot about thecushions 16 until the shoulders or back rest against the back support14, at which time the users feet will extend upwardly.

Referring now in detail to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the stationaryplatform 11 includes a pair of identical side members 20 and 21 whichare preferably composed of tubular construction. Selected adjacent endsof the side members are joined together by means of a pivot connection22 and 23 joining a pair of pivot fixtures carried by each of the sidemembers. For example, side member 21 includes fixtures 24 and 25 whichmay be riveted to the tubular construction of the side member while theside member 20 includes pivot fixtures 26 and 27.

Each of the respective side members 20 and 21 are rectangular andinclude parallel top and bottom pieces which are elongated and extendbetween parallel end pieces to form the rectangle. The hand grips 16 aresecured to the upper tube of each side member by any suitable means.such as bonding, adhesive or the like. With respect to the shouldercushions 16, they are similarly carried on the upper bar section of theside member by any suitable means, such as bonding, adhesive or thelike. It is to be borne in mind that the cushion and grip 16 and 17 areassociated with side member 21 while cushion 16' and grip 17 are carriedin an identical position on side member 20.

Each of the side members includes a rigidizing brace which takes theform of a U-shaped member 30 and 30 fixedly secured to side members 21and 20, respectively, by any suitable means such as welding, rivets orscrew fasteners. The transverse central section of each brace carried onbrace 30 or 30 may be employed to cooperate with the upper barof theassociated side member to support the shoulder cushion 16 or 16. Each ofthe side members is further provided with a pair of tubular retainers 31and 32 fixedly secured to its respective side member adjacent one of thelegs of braces 30 and 30'. The pair of retainers 31 and 32 are employedfor slidably receiving the opposite legs of a U-shaped element formingthe back support l4. The element 14 is slidably carried within thehollow of the tubular retainers 31 and 32. Cushion 15 is carried on thecentral portion of the back support. The extreme terminating ends of theopposite legs of the U-shaped element back support 14 rest on a stopmember 33, shown in H6. 3, which passes through member 30 and 31 tointerfere with the leg of element 14. This latter leg is provided with ahole or aperture 34 through which the shank of the stop member 33 assesso as to arrest movement of the back support 14 and to rigidize thesupport with respect to the retainers. Each of the retainers 31 and 32are fixedly secured to its adjacent brace 30 and 30 via screw fasteners35 and 36. Preferably, the screws 35 and 36 are set screws and are solocated as to support the extreme ends of the opposite legs of the backsupport element 14.

Referring now in detail to FIG. 4, it can be seen that the novelexerciser 10 of the present invention may be folded into a storageposition. In this position, the side members 20 and 21 are substantiallyparallel and the opposite ends of each side member are arranged in fixedspaced apart relationship respectively. The members are pivoted aboutthe pivot connection 22 so that the side members are substantiallytogether and separated only by engagement of the shoulder pads 16 and16'. To effect its folding position, the back support ele ment 14 iswithdrawn from its receivers so that the element may be pivoted in acounterclockwise direction to the position shown in FIG. 4. At thistime, the one leg of the back support element 14 may still reside withinits associated retainer for ease of storage purposes. Preferably, one ofthe parallel legs of the U-shaped back support element 14 is longer thanits other end and this longer leg operates as the pivot once the shorterleg has been cleared of its associated retainer.

In actual usage, the device 10 may be placed on the floor. However, ifit is desired to use the device outside, it may be desirable to includean additional support for the stationary platform which may take theform of a pair of spikes 37 shown in FIG. 5. Preferably, the spikes 37are integrally formed with the retainers 31 and 32 so as to extend belowthe lowermost bar of each side member 20 and 21. The spikes should be ofsufficient length to project into the ground a suitable distance tosupport the stationary platform and provide stability for the user ofthe device.

In view of the foregoing, it can be seen that the novel exerciser of thepresent invention is a portable one and an exerciser which may be foldedinto a compact package for storage purposes when not in use. However,when it is desired to use the device, it becomes readily usable byurging the side members outwardly from one end so as to pivot about itsconnections 22 and 23. The back support element 14 may then be rotatedso as to aligned and registered with its retainers and slidably engagedtherewith so as to provide a rigid brace between the side members. Thiswill prevent any further pivoting in either direction of the sidemembers with respect to each other. Also, the length of the centralportion of the U- shaped back support element 14 is critical since it isdirectly related to the shoulders of the user so that the side members20 and 21 are not disposed too narrowly together or too far apart so asto be rendered inoperative for the person intending to use the devicePreferably, the entire exerciser is made from lightweight tubularmaterial so that it may be readily carried and stored. Other than theback support element 14, there is no other manipulation of parts whichrequire disassembly prior to positioning the device into either of itsalternate positions.

While particular embodiments ofthe present invention have been shown anddescribed, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changesand modifications may be made without departing from this invention inits broader aspects and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is tocover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spiritand scope ofthis invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A foldable exercising device for solely supporting and stabilizing aperson substantially on his shoulders in an inverted positioncomprising:

a stationary platform;

hand grip means carried on one end of said platform;

an upright back support detachably carried by said platform midwaybetween its opposite ends and extending upward in perpendicularrelationship to said platform;

shoulder receiving means fixedly carried on said platform disposedbetween said back support and said hand grip means; and

an opening formed in said platform between said shoulder receiving meansand adjacent said back support for accommodating the head of the personduring use while in said inverted position.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said platform comprises apair of identical elongated side members;

pivotal connection means joining selected ends of said members together;and

retainer means carried by said side members for slidably receiving saidback support so that said back support provides a rigid spreaderseparating said side members about said pivot connection means.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 including releasable fastenersengageable between said side members and said back support fordetachably coupling said back support to said side members.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said back support is aU-shaped element having a pair of straight legs joined at their sameends by a cross bar;

said retainer means comprising a pair of tubes secured to said sidemembers for slidably receiving said legs of said back support element.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said back support elementis provided with a cushion secured to said cross bar; and

said shoulder receiving means comprises a pair of cushions secured tosaid side members.

6. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein each of said retainersincludes a spike downwardly projecting from said stationary platform.

7. The invention as defined in claim 5 including a U-shaped bracesecured to each of said side members and a portion of said bracecooperatively supporting said shoulder cushion so as to distribute andtransfer applied loads to said side members.

8. The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said pivot connectionmeans includes a pair of fixtures carried on each of said side membersand joined together by a pivot fastener whereby said platform folds andunfolds from a storage position to an exercising position.

9. The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said stationary platformis in its storage position when folded about said pivot connection meansso that said side members extend side-by-side in substantially parallelspaced-apart relationship and is in its exercising position whenunfolded so that said side members form a V in plan view.

10. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said space definedbetween said side members when folded constitutes a storage area foraccommodating said braces, said retainer means and said back supportelement.

11. The invention as defined in claim 10 wherein the length of said backsupport legs is dissimilar whereby the longer one of said legsconstitutes a pivot in combination with said retainer tube whereby saidelement may be rotated into said storage area when said side members arepivoted into said storage position.

1. A foldable exercising device for solely supporting and stabilizing aperson substantially on his shoulders in an inverted positioncomprising: a stationary platform; hand grip means carried on one end ofsaid platfOrm; an upright back support detachably carried by saidplatform midway between its opposite ends and extending upward inperpendicular relationship to said platform; shoulder receiving meansfixedly carried on said platform disposed between said back support andsaid hand grip means; and an opening formed in said platform betweensaid shoulder receiving means and adjacent said back support foraccommodating the head of the person during use while in said invertedposition.
 2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said platformcomprises a pair of identical elongated side members; pivotal connectionmeans joining selected ends of said members together; and retainer meanscarried by said side members for slidably receiving said back support sothat said back support provides a rigid spreader separating said sidemembers about said pivot connection means.
 3. The invention as definedin claim 2 including releasable fasteners engageable between said sidemembers and said back support for detachably coupling said back supportto said side members.
 4. The invention as defined in claim 3 whereinsaid back support is a U-shaped element having a pair of straight legsjoined at their same ends by a cross bar; said retainer means comprisinga pair of tubes secured to said side members for slidably receiving saidlegs of said back support element.
 5. The invention as defined in claim4 wherein said back support element is provided with a cushion securedto said cross bar; and said shoulder receiving means comprises a pair ofcushions secured to said side members.
 6. The invention as defined inclaim 5 wherein each of said retainers includes a spike downwardlyprojecting from said stationary platform.
 7. The invention as defined inclaim 5 including a U-shaped brace secured to each of said side membersand a portion of said brace cooperatively supporting said shouldercushion so as to distribute and transfer applied loads to said sidemembers.
 8. The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said pivotconnection means includes a pair of fixtures carried on each of saidside members and joined together by a pivot fastener whereby saidplatform folds and unfolds from a storage position to an exercisingposition.
 9. The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said stationaryplatform is in its storage position when folded about said pivotconnection means so that said side members extend side-by-side insubstantially parallel spaced-apart relationship and is in itsexercising position when unfolded so that said side members form a V inplan view.
 10. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said spacedefined between said side members when folded constitutes a storage areafor accommodating said braces, said retainer means and said back supportelement.
 11. The invention as defined in claim 10 wherein the length ofsaid back support legs is dissimilar whereby the longer one of said legsconstitutes a pivot in combination with said retainer tube whereby saidelement may be rotated into said storage area when said side members arepivoted into said storage position.